Latest news with #prenuptial
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Marriage Diaries: Should I get a prenup for my second wedding or trust my husband-to-be?
Should you be planning the end of your marriage before you've even tied the knot? This is the question that's been plaguing me for the past few weeks. I'm 58 years old, and next March will be marrying Steve, 60. It will be a second wedding for both of us: I have three young adult daughters and he has a son. Steve and I are taking great pleasure in planning the next stage of our lives together. But – in between conversations about which location would suit our intimate ceremony, and what dress I should wear as a 50-something bride – I can't help but wonder whether we should get a prenuptial agreement. I'm so preoccupied about this decision that it's been keeping me awake at night. I've been fully open with Steve about my dilemma. He's quite relaxed about the subject, and isn't offended (at least, that's what he tells me) but doesn't think a prenup is necessary. I think this comes down to how we both experienced the end of our last marriages. My divorce from my ex-husband came through six years ago. It was nasty and protracted and expensive, mostly because my ex tried to hide money abroad and attempted to bully me into submission when I was hoping to appeal to his – ultimately absent – better nature. In the end, I had to hire a top family law firm. After a draining process – which ended up in court with a finance dispute resolution – I received a fair settlement. But it cost me the best part of £50,000 and a whole lot of tears. On the other hand, Steve's experience of divorce was far more pleasant. He and his wife had an amicable 'no fault' settlement, which barely involved lawyers. His son was also grown up, so it was less traumatic for everyone. After the sale of the London marital home, my children and I moved into a small cottage in West Sussex which I decorated with great care: I feel happy and settled here. I love my current home so much that Steve has agreed to move in with me while he rents out his Yorkshire house. When it comes to our respective finances, Steve and I are comfortable, but neither of us are rich: I'd say that financially, we are in a similar situation. We are both self-employed in the arts world and our properties are worth about the same. Prenuptial agreements didn't used to be binding in the UK, but I've consulted a lawyer who has told me that – done the right way – they can be. The problem is, setting up a legally watertight agreement could cost up to £4,000. My best friend is telling me that I'm being cynical and defeatist. Having known me for most of my life, she agrees that Steve is a far nicer man than my ex. I should embrace this happy new path with joy, she says, and not throw shade on the occasion by being negative. But she hasn't been through the pain of divorce: she hasn't seen how a white-wedding day can turn into a miasma of bitterness and hatred. I'm just not sure I could go through all that again. All I really care about is keeping this well-loved roof over my head, should we separate – this basic security is everything to me. 'We're both nice people,' says Steve. 'In the worst-case scenario we would sort it out, and I would never take your home from you.' But is it naive to believe this statement, uttered when things are at their rosiest? Surely one of the gifts of reaching midlife is learning from experience, and not making the same mistakes again. Should I listen to my gut and instruct a lawyer? Or am I being negative and doomy – and would my time (and money) be better spent on booking a super-luxurious honeymoon?
Khaleej Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Prenups in UAE: Why more couples are signing contract before marriage
Across the Gulf, more couples are now choosing prenuptial agreements as a practical step before marriage. This is particularly happening in the UAE, where legal reforms have made them easier to draft, recognise, and enforce laws. While prenups can't prevent a marriage from breaking down — and may still carry a social stigma, legal experts say they can often reduce the bitterness and legal chaos that sometimes follow. A turning point came in 2021, when Abu Dhabi introduced Law No. 14/2021 on Personal Status for Non-Muslim Foreigners, followed by Resolution No. (8) of 2022, establishing a legal framework for civil marriages. For the first time, non-Muslim couples, mostly expats, could marry under a civil contract, independent of religious laws. 'As the ceremony is civilly based, it effectively allows for prenuptial agreements to be signed before marriage,' explained Tyne Hugo, Senior Associate, from law firm BSA. 'Couples now have the opportunity to tailor their financial arrangements from the outset, something that was previously unavailable or legally ambiguous.' With the UAE home to millions of expatriates from diverse cultural backgrounds, officials have increasingly worked to make the country feel like a long-term home, not just a stopover. 'To attract foreigners, the UAE must cater to their cultural norms, and in the West, prenups are not only common but expected,' Tyne added. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Learning from experience While prenups can't guarantee a marriage will succeed, they often serve as a powerful tool to reduce emotional and legal fallout if it fails. BSA shared that in one recent divorce case they handled, there was no prenup in place, but the couple was still able to amicably negotiate a financial agreement. 'That's not always the case,' Tyne said. 'We've seen divorces where couples fought over everything, including the cutlery. These kinds of disputes are often more about emotions than assets.' By contrast, couples who sign prenups typically experience less conflict and faster resolutions. 'There's clarity,' Tyne added, 'and that clarity helps prevent unnecessary legal battles.' One such experience was of Maha A., a Lebanese designer who got married last year. 'I was surprised when my fiancé suggested a prenup,' she recalled. 'At first, I felt hurt. But he explained it wasn't about preparing for divorce, it was about protecting each other. We both have separate assets and wanted to keep things clear. In the end, it actually made me feel more secure.' She said the process also forced them to have difficult, but important, conversations about spending habits, savings goals, and potential risks. 'It wasn't romantic, but it was responsible.' A tool for protection Although still an uncomfortable topic in some families, prenups are increasingly being viewed not as a threat to marriage but as a means of clarity and mutual understanding. 'Prenups don't just deal with how assets are split in case of a divorce; they can also outline how assets are managed during the marriage,' the Tyne noted. 'Partners can decide whether to have joint or separate estates and shield themselves from each other's financial liabilities. If one person goes into debt, the other can ensure their assets are protected from creditors.' Custom fit, not culture clash Cultural differences still shape how prenups are perceived. In more conservative families, the idea of signing a legal agreement before marriage can feel like an admission of doubt or distrust. 'Some cultures may see this as a betrayal of what a marriage is supposed to be,' Tyne said. 'But the beauty of a prenup is that it's entirely customisable. It can reflect any cultural or religious values the couple deems important.' Yet younger couples, especially those from dual-nationality backgrounds or raised in more globalised environments, are seeing prenups in a new light. 'Couples are beginning to realise that love and legal planning are not mutually exclusive,' said Rania F., a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Dubai. 'A prenup doesn't mean you expect a divorce, it just means you're mature enough to talk about money, expectations, and personal boundaries before problems arise.' Rania noted that more clients are now asking about prenups during premarital counselling, particularly when one partner owns a business, has children from a previous marriage, or carries significant debt.
